Closing a nine-point gap on league leaders Liverpool after just 12 games is hardly ideal for an Arsenal side with serious ambitions of ending a 20-year wait for the Premier League title.
Injuries, red cards, and a tough schedule have made for a disjointed start to the season, leaving the Gunners with little margin for error as the campaign moves into its middle third.
However, with key players returning to fitness – most notably captain Martin Odegaard – two wins on the bounce, a run of festive fixtures close to home and Manchester City exploding in spectacular fashion, morale in the dressing room is on the up.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s clash at West Ham and a chance to temporarily reduce the deficit on Liverpool ahead of their mammoth clash with second-place Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
“Winning lifts the energy and the confidence up,” said manager Mikel Arteta in his pre-game press conference.
“They [3-0 vs Forest and 5-1 vs Sporting Lisbon] were two big wins as well for us. And now it’s about consistency. Getting that momentum that we are in, take it even further against a really good opponent tomorrow and try to replicate the performance to win the game.”
Liverpool’s impressive form under new boss Arne Slot means more dropped points on the road just isn’t an option for the Gunners. While the Reds have flirted with defeat in recent weeks, their midweek Champions League victory over Real Madrid underlined their credentials as Europe’s most in-form side.
Asked if Arsenal need to be near-perfect between now and May to grind down the leaders, Arteta said: “Well if they continue that way, that’s for sure. The numbers they’re producing, the amount of games they are winning…but again, it’s just about focusing on us.
“Maintaining the consistency, especially in performances, that’s going to give us the right to win a lot of games. Keep the availability in the squad, keep everybody together. And this [season] is a long run.”
“I think so,” he replied when asked if momentum is building. “But again, this is every three days. So it doesn’t matter what you did yesterday. It’s about the next day, the next performance, how you are able to sustain high-level performances throughout the games as well, because of how competitive every opponent is right now. And that’s what we will try to do tomorrow.”
While results haven’t always gone Arsenal’s way this season, the players still have the trust of his manager, who hasn’t questioned their character.
“I don’t link character to winning,” he said. “This team showed unbelievable character against Inter and we lost, showed unbelievable character against Chelsea where we were the better team. We didn’t manage to win. Same players, same intentions, being more efficient and winning matches, that’s the difference.”
Last season, Arsenal stormed the London Stadium, putting six past the Hammers in one of the standout performances of Arteta’s tenure.
This time, however, West Ham could pose a tougher challenge. Under summer appointment Julen Lopetegui, they’ve been adapting to a new style of play, and Monday’s surprise win at Newcastle suggests they’re finding form after a slow start to the campaign.
“I have huge admiration for what he [Lopetegui] has done in the game. Obviously, he’s from the same area as I am in the north of Spain. It’s a team that is now on a high after the big win they had against Newcastle away. And he’s always a really tough opponent, so we know that.
He added: “They have various ways to create big problems. They are really physical side, really good in direct play, attacking second balls. When they have to dominate the game through the ball, or they have space, they are a really dangerous team.
“Set pieces [also] and then the individual quality that they have. The front players can create in any moment, any situation, to cause you trouble. And they are really well coached.”
In terms of team news, Arsenal know they will be without Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu – both are recovering from knee issues – and will train again this afternoon before making a decision on the fitness of defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Brazilian limped off in the closing stages of Tuesday’s win over Sporting Lisbon and the medical team is still assessing the seriousness of the issue.
We’re on the up, let’s keep it going!!! No injuries please…
Don’t get me wrong, I’d happily be eight points clear. But Liverpool are playing under serious pressure after just 12 games.
This whole “it’s theirs to lose” nonsense will be a lot to bear for the next 26 games. Every time they drop a point, the pressure mounts. And I just don’t think they’ve got the minerals to go the distance.
We found out just how tough the narrative makes being out in front.
I think they are going to have a massive wobble at some stage and finish up 3rd or 4th.
If Gabriel is out, would you just slot Kiwior in if you’re Arteta?
Tomi would have been a nice choice if available.
Who else but Kiwior given current injuries ?
Other possible replacements are White, Tomi, Timber.
2 are injured, 1 is needed at RB.
Big Gabi usually pulls though these niggles though.
Through
Praying Gabriel would be fit.🙏🏽
It is doable.
Liverpool aren’t “uncatchable”.
They are not prime Man City.
Some of their wins so far have been pure luck. And they won’t be lucky every time.
Also, they do not rotate that much and I suspect issues will arise with VVD, TAA and Salah in 2025.